About Us
Scientists in Parks
The Scientists in Parks Program is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) along with several non-governmental partner organizations; Stewards Individual Placements and the Geological Society of America.
SIP Administration Staff
National Park Service
The National Park Service (NPS) protects and celebrates America’s natural and cultural heritage in over 400 places. These locations include wilderness and natural regions in all the ecosystems of the U.S. and its territories; buildings, sites, and monuments that commemorate our multicultural history; and urban green spaces that support recreation and protect the variety of life. Whether it’s a vast wilderness area, a Civil War battlefield, a unique geological feature, a historic home, or a scenic river, there is a unit of the National Park System in every state and territory of the U.S.
Stewards Individual Placements
Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) is a program of Conservation Legacy. It offers land and water management agencies and other non-profit organizations opportunities to accomplish specific projects by providing individual placements (internships) on public lands. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.
The Geological Society of America
The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a global scientific society with members from academia, government, and industry in more than 100 countries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of geoscientists at all career levels, encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind.
Our Story
In 2021, the National Park Service launched the inaugural year of the the Scientists in Parks (SIP) program. The SIP Program provides inspires and develops the next generation of natural resource management park stewards, and fosters a life-long connection to the National Park System. SIP positions vary considerably in complexity, length, discipline, and skill set, in accordance with the particular needs of NPS units and abilities of the participants. As AmeriCorps Members, SIPs provide important service to their host sites across the nation.
Past projects have mapped sand dunes at Fire Island National Seashore, surveyed towering cacti at Saguaro National Park, and protected nesting sea turtles at Padre Island National Seashore. Others assessed pika populations at Rocky Mountain National Park, measured soils beneath the mangrove forests of Everglades National Park, and restored colorful corals beneath the waves at the National Park of American Samoa.
The program is committed to providing all aspiring professionals with a unique opportunity to serve on important real-world projects while building professional experience and a life-long connection to America’s national parks.